Computer-based Simulation Modelling for Anthropologists

Simulation is a means for evaluating speculation. Rather than simply imagining how the different parts of social, cultural and individual life interact together, you can use a simulation to examine, explore and evaluate them within a context. Simulations are often used to represent 'real' events, people and things.

In this unit we examine some of the issues underlying the use of simulation in anthropology, including a range of simple computer-based examples. These range from relatively concrete simulations of physical objects or situations of cultural importance, to more abstract simulations of social, economic and political processes.